Studies Look at Health Care in the U.S.

By JEFF MADRICK
The New York Times
July 8, 2004

There are no easy answers in reforming health care, but some economists in the field increasingly believe there may indeed be viable solutions to at least some of the nation's health problems.

The seemingly intractable issues are well known. Americans spend some 14 percent of gross domestic product on health care, while other advanced nations spend an average of 8 percent. In the United States, the proportion may rise to 18 percent by 2013.

Yet in general, judging by life span and infant mortality, most developed nations are healthier than the United States. More detailed studies find similar results. For example, a study recently published by the Commonwealth Fund measured quality of care in specific areas of medicine in five nations. It showed that America was superior in only a few. For example, this country topped the list in survival rates for breast cancer but was at the bottom for kidney transplants. It was typically in the middle in most other areas measured.

What may surprise readers, and certainly surprised this writer, is that Americans, by paying so much more, do not have many more services...

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